BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Ridgecrest man who fatally shot his neighbor and attempted to shoot his wife — but the gun jammed — was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder and attempted murder, according to court records.
Jose Romero, 67, faces up to 75 years to life in prison at his Feb. 27 sentencing.
On Aug. 20, 2017, Romero tried to shoot his wife with a handgun following an argument but couldn’t get the gun to work, according to reports. He beat her with the gun then retrieved an AK-47 rifle and chased her and her 11-year-old grandson to the home of Elsa Elizabeth Rodas, 63.
Rodas answered the door and told Romero his wife wasn’t there, according to reports. He shot Rodas once, killing her, and his wife ran to the home of another neighbor on South Garth Street where she called 911.
“The impacts of domestic violence are seldom contained behind closed doors,” District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a news release. “Domestic violence and the harms that come from it spill into our streets and into the homes of others. The prosecution of domestic violence-related crimes remains a priority for the District Attorney’s office.”
